by Saturday morning rolled around. I had decided to end my PMC with the virtual opening ceremonies and a Zwift ride. Yes. In this crazy year that is 2020 I planned to come to the end of my Pan Mass Challenge with a virtual start.
Then it was down into the basement for a virtual bike ride on Zwift. I bought a Zwift set up at the end of 2019 as a hedge against inclement weather. I was skeptical, but have come to really enjoy Zwifting as a substitute for cycling. I put more miles in this winter than years past. Then the pandemic hit. Zwift became my exclusive bike riding until the really nice weather came. It wasn’t until June that I went back outside to ride.
The PMC organization had put together regular Zwift group rides on Thursday nights. I rarely missed one. The PMC organized a special Zwift group ride for PMC Saturday. There was a Peloton ride for the large number of PMC riders on that platform.
An hour long ride felt like a good way to finish the PMC and to work some of the pain out of my legs.
Six-time US National Cyclocross Champion and PMC rider Tim Johnson was leading the ride. US Olympic Team member Emma White had the other Zwift leader beacon. As we pulled out of the starting pen, I saw Tim’s avatar nearby and decided to stick with him. That turned out to be an excellent decision. Tim was pulling sweep at the back, while Emma was blazing ahead churning out big watts up front.
Meanwhile the PMC was streaming the Zwift ride with commentary from Tim and Emma on its website. There was also a special appearance by Team Kinetic Karma’s Linda S.
I found it difficult to listen to the stream while also taking with Steven and John on Zwift. So I turned down the stream, chatted with buddies and turned the pedals at very comfortable wattage.
It was a great way to the Pan Mass Challenge…. but it wasn’t over yet. John S put out a call for a ride on Sunday.
The Pan Mass Challenge will donate 100% of your donation to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
